Boat launching device



Jan. 12, 1965 R. R. F. MARTIN 3,164,965

BOAT LAUNCHING DEVICE Filed March a, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.RAYNALD R. E MARTIN Jan. 12, 1965 Filed March 8, 1965 R. R. F. MARTINBOAT LAUNCHING DEVICE FIG.8

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Reynold R. E Martin United States Patent F 3Claims. (Cl. 61-67) This invention relates to a device used in launchingboats, and more particularly to a combination launching device and asafety means to prevent an automobile from accidentally rolling into thewater during the boat launching operation.

Heretofore many types of boat launching devices have been known. Thesedevices are constructed in many different ways to rotate, lift, or slidea boat from a trailer into the water. These devices are complicated inconstruction, requiring many moving parts, and no means has beenprovided to prevent the pulling vehicle from rolling onto the launchingdevice and into the water.

In accordance with the present invention, a new boat launching devicehas been provided by which a trailer having a boat thereon can cross thedevice, which tilts to direct the trailer and boat into the water, wherethe boat is then removed in the usual manner. As the boat launchingdevice of the invention moves about its axis, one edge is lowered to theground near the lake, and the other edge is lifted to engage the pullingvehicle to thereby prevent the pulling vehicle from accidentally rollingacross the launching device and into the water.

The structure of the boat launching device includes a short support. Anaxle is received on the top of the support and has an elongated platemounted thereon. The plate is wide enough to receive the wheels of theboat trailer. The outer surface of the plate is preferably curved forbest results in launching.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new boatlaunching device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new boat launchingdevice incorporating a safety feature to prevent the pulling vehiclefrom accidentally hacking into the water.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new boat launchingdevice having a minimum of moving parts which can be economicallyconstructed and installed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new boatlaunchingdevice having a plate across which the boat trailer travelswhich is concave in the outer edge portions and convex the intermediateportion thereof Another object of the inventionis to provide a new boatlaunching device which is so constructed so that each edge of the devicecan be temporarily locked in position with either the front or rear edgeof the device near the ground.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the boat launching device of the invention inoperation.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the device of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section view taken along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

3,164,965 Patented Jan. 12, 1965 ICC FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectionview along the axle of the device showing the various elements making upthe locking structure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of the cover plate of thedevice prior to installation.

FIG. 6 is a view of the mounting plate.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of one of the annular elements of thelocking device of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the element shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the other annular element of the lockingdevice of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the element shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing the mounting of the annular elementof FIGS. 9 and 10 on the shaft.

The following is a discussion and description of a preferred specificembodiment of the new boat launching device of the invention, such beingmade with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numeralsare used to indicate the same or similar parts and/ or structure. It isto be understood that such discussion and description is not to undulylimit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the boat launching device ofthe invention is shown in FIG. l-during the boat launching operation.The boat launcher, shown generally at 20, is preferably rigidly securedin a supporting concrete platform 22. The boat 24 is mounted on aconventional trailer 26; The trailer is pulled by an automobile 28, orany other suitable pulling vehicle. As will be observed from FIG. 1,when the boat and trailer are in launching position in the water thelaunching device 20 is positioned so that one edge thereof engages thetire 30, or other portions of the pulling vehicle to prevent the vehiclefrom accidentally rolling into the water due to the lack of experienceof the driver, brake failure, etc.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the boat launching device has an open support 32which includes a number of spaced diverging legs 34 having feet 36thereon to rest on the support 22. The feet 36 can either be formedintegrally with the legs 34, or they can be made separate and securedthereon in any suitable manner. The feet 36 can be secured to theconcrete platform 22 by mounting bolts 38 or other suitable means. Aplurality of cross braces 40 extend between the legs 34 to reinforce thesupport 32. The support 32 has a generally horizontal portion 42 whichjoins the top ends of the legs 34 and is rigidly secured thereto in anysuitable manner, such as by welding. The horizontal portion 42 extendsthe full length of the support 32, and a longitudinally extending recess44 is formed in the horizontal portion 42, preferably at the centerthereof. The recess 44 is preferably semicircular as shown in thedrawings, however any recess that is arcuate in cross section would besatisfactory.

The recess 44 receives an axle 46 which extends the full length of thesupport 32 and projects from both ends thereof. The axle 46 is rotatablyand removably mounted in the recess 44.

Means are provided with the device of the invention so that it can beremovably locked in position with either end touching the platform 22.This structure is located on the extending ends of the shaft 46,preferably at both ends thereof, and is best illustrated in the drawingsin FIGS. 4 through 11.

Each end of the support 32 has a cover plate 50 rigidly and removablysecured thereto, such as by bolts 52 which extend through the edgeportions 54 of the cover plate 50. The edge portions 54 of the coverplate 50 are bent along the dotted lines in FIG. and positioned on thesupport 32 so that the bolts 52 pass through the cross braces 40 and thelegs 34. Suitable mounting holes 53 can be formed in the edge portions54 to facilitate the mounting of plate 50. Other mounting means can, ofcourse, be used. The axle 46 projects through the opening in the topportion of the cover plate.

Each of the cover plates 50 has a mounting plate 56 secured theretowhich also receives the axle 36 therethrough. The mounting plate 56 canbe secured to the cover plate 50 by any suitable means, such as by themounting bolts 58 passing through the holes 59.

Each of the projecting end portions of the axle has a first annularmetallic member 60 surrounding it which is rigidly secured to the outerside of the mounting plate 56. The annular member 60 has a projection 62on the outside surface thereof. The projection 62 is preferably formedwith a flat edge, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. However the projection62 can merely be a small arcuate projection.

Each projecting end portion of the axle 46 also has a second annularmetallic member 64 positioned thereon. The member 64 has two smallspaced recesses 66 on the inside surface. The recesses 66 are generallyarcuate cut-outs, but can be formed in various shapes. The recesses 66and the projection 62 are dimensioned so that the projection 62 can bereceived within the recesses 66, and the members 60 and 64 are mountedon the axle so that the projection 62 and recesses 66 are facing eachother.

A slot 70 is cut through the axle 46 from approximately the point whereeach annular member 60 surrounds the axle toward the adjacent end of theaxle 46 for a distance of 1 to 2 inches. The slot 70 is preferably cutdiametrically through the axle 46, and is closed at both ends. Each ofthe second annular members 64 has a pin 72 extending therethrough whichpasses through the slot 70. The pin 72 mounts the member 64 on the axle46 so that the member 64 will rotate with the axle 46, and can movelongitudinally along the axle.

Each end of the axle 46 has a first washer '74 slidably received thereonwhich abuts the second annular member 64. Each end of the axle 46 alsohas a helical metallic spring 76 coaxially mounted on the axle andengaging the washer 74.

Each end of the axle also has a second washer 78 thereon which engagesthe outer end of the spring 76. Lock nuts 80 and 82 are threadedlymounted on each end of the axle 46 and complete the assembly on theprojecting ends of the axle. The springs 76 are corn pressed between thewashers 74 and 78 by tightening the lock nuts 80 and 82, and the springsact against the second annular member 64 to continually urge it alongthe slot 70 toward the member 60 so that the recesses 66 and theprojection 62 are urged into mating engagement. End caps 83 (FIG. 2) canbe provided to cover the projecting ends of the axle 46.

An elongated plate 84 is rigidly secured to the axle 46 between thecover plates 50 in any suitable manner, such as welding. The sideportions 86 and 88 of the plate 84 are preferably concave and the centerportion 90, or portion over the axle 46, is preferably convex. In someapplications, it will be desirable for the concave portion 86 to be of asmaller radius than a concave portion 88. The radii of the concaveportions are chosen so that the end of the plate 84 will be elevated tothe required height to engage the pulling vehicle 28 during the boatunloading operation. A depending flange 92 is secured to the end of theconcave portion 86, and a second and similar depending flange 94 issecured to the end of the concave portion 88. Suitable recesses or slots96 can be formed in the supporting platform 22 to receive these flangesand facilitate the backing of the trailer thereover. Each side of theplate 84 has an angle iron 98 secured thereto which extends upwardly asshown. The angle irons 98 abut the cover plates 50 as best seen in FIG.4.

With the boat launcher 20 mounted on the platform 22 adjacent to theshoreline as shown in FIG. 1 it is prepared for the launching of a boat.It is positioned so that the flange 92 is in one of the slots 96 of theplatform, and the other flange 94 is elevated. The pulling vehicle 28backs the trailer 26 having the boat 24 thereon across the concaveportion 86 and over the convex portion 96 of the plate 84. As the wheelsof the trailer 26 pass over the axle 46, the plate will tilt and theflange 94 will then be received in the other slot 96 and the flange 92will be lifted off the ground to act as a stop for the vehicle 28. Thetrailer 26 will then move across the other concave portion 88 and intothe lake until the boat 24 floats, and it is then released from thetrailer 26 in the usual manner. As the empty trailer 26 is pulled fromthe Water across the plate 84, the plate 84 again tilts and is returnedto its original position, that is with the flange 92 in the slot 96. Itis then in position to receive another boat trailer.

When the flange 92 is in the slot or opening 96, the projection 62 onthe first annular member 60 is engaged in one of the recesses 66 of thesecond annular member 64. The member 64 is urged against the member 60by the force of the helical spring 76. As the device moves from oneposition to the other during the unloading operation as hereinbeforedescribed, the member 64 will rotate with the axle 46, and the member 60will remain stationary with the mounting member 56. As the axle beginsto turn, the member 64 will move longitudinally along the axle 46against the force of the spring 76 and disengage the projections 62 fromone of the recesses 66. The axle 46 and member 64 will continue torotate until the projection 62 is engaged in the other recess 66. Therecesses 66 are spaced so that this will occur when the launcher 20 hasreached its other extremity, that is, when the flange 94 is within theslot 96. The engagement of the projection 62 in the two spaced recesses66 as hereinbefore described serves to retain or lock the launcher 20 ineither position, that is with the flange 94 engaging the slot 96 in theplatform 22, or with the flange 92 engaging the slot 96 in the platform.Thus, with the trailer backed into the water as shown in FIG. 1 theconcave portion 88 stands ready to receive the wheels of the trailer 26as it is pulled from the lake after the boat is launched. As the boattrailer 26 crosses from the concave portion 88 of the plate 84 to theconcave portion 86 the operation hereinbefore described will be reversedand the concave portion 86 and the flange 92 will be in the downposition, and will remain in this position until another trailer movesacross the launcher. The recesses 66 are, of course, positioned so thatthe device is locked in its two extreme positions. The locking structurehas been described as being mounted on each projecting end of the axle46, however in some cases this structure can be provided on only one endof the axle. Also, the projection 62 can be formed on the member 64 andthe recesses 66 on the member 60, it being only necessary that therecesses and projection face each other.

The boat launcher 20 of the invention can be permanently mounted nearthe water as hereinbefore described. At some locations it will bedesirable to merely use the device temporarily, and then the flat feet36 will be placed directly on the shoreline, without the use of amounting platform.

Also, while the plate 84 has been described as being one rather long,narrow piece of material, it will be desirable for some applications tomake the concave and convex portions separate and secure them togetherin any suitable manner. Furthermore, while the previous description ofthe invention has been directed to the use of one long plate 84 toreceive both of the wheels of the vehicle, it is to be understood thatthe device can be shortened considerably so that the plate 84 is onlywide enough to adequately receive one wheel, and then two of the devicesspaced the required distance apart can receive individual wheels of thetrailer 26. This last mentioned construction reduces the cost of therather long plate 84 and requires installation of the structuresurrounding the projecting ends of the axle 46 on both parts.

While the specific locking mechanism described hereinabove has beenfound desirable for this particular application, it is to be understoodthat other means of locking or holding the boat launching device 20 ineither of the two positions hereinbefore described is within the scopeof this disclosure. Furthermore, resilient means other than the springs76 can be used, and in some applications the washers 74 and 78 can bedispensed with. Also, while the described shape of the plate 84 isconsidered particularly desirable, other shapes can of course be used insome applications.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredspecific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is intendedto illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the claims.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications ofthis invention can be made, or followed, in the light of thisdescription and discussion, without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A boat launching device of the type described comprising, incombination, an open support, said support having spaced diverging legswith integral fiat feet, means to secure said feet to a concreteplatform, a plurality of cross-braces extending between and secured tosaid legs, said support having a generally horizontal portion joiningthe top ends of said legs and extending the length of said support, asemi-circular recess formed in said horizontal portion, an elongatedaxle rotatably and removably mounted in said semi-circular recess andprojecting from both ends of said support, said axle being threaded atboth ends thereof, each end of said support having a cover plate rigidlysecured thereto through which said axle projects, each of said coverplates having a mounting plate secured thereto and receiving said axletherethrough, each of the projecting end portions of said axle having afirst annular metallic member mounted therearound and rigidly secured tothe outer side of said mounting plates, said annular members having aprojection on the outside surface thereof, each of the projecting endportions of said axle having a second annular metallic member mountedtherearound and being longitudinally slidable thereon, each of saidsecond annular members having two spaced recesses on the inside surfacethereof of such size as to receive said projection on said first annularmetallic members and said annular members being mounted on said axle sothat said projecting portion of each of said first annular members isreceivable within said recesses in each of said second annular members,each of the projecting end portions of said axle having a short closedlongitudinal slot therethrough, each of said second annular members andsaid slots at each end of said axle having a pin extending therethroughto provide for rotational movement of said second annular members withand longitudinal movement along said axle, each end of said axle havinga first washer slidably received thereon abutting said second annularmember, each end of said axle having a helical metallic spring coaxiallymounted on said axle and engaging said washers, each end of said axlehaving a second washer slidably received thereon and engaging the outerend of said springs, each end of said axle having lock nuts threadedlymounted thereon engaging said second washers and compressing saidhelical springs to continually urge said second annular members againstsaid first annular members, an

elongated plate rigidly secured to said axle between said cover plates,said elongated plate being concave in the portion oneither side of saidaxle and convex across the middle portion thereof, each end of saidelongated plate having a depending flange, and each side of said platehaving an upwardly extending angle iron rigidly secured thereto andabutting said cover plate, said device being constructed and adapted sothat a trailer having a boat mounted thereon can be backed across saidelongated plate from one concave portion thereof to the other concaveportion thereof and be lowered into a lake so that as the Wheels of saidtrailer cross the second concave portion the first concave portion willbe raised and said flange thereon will engage the wheels of the pullingvehicle to prevent said vehicle from rolling into said lake, and saidprojections on said first annular members will be disengaged from one ofsaid recesses in said second annular members and engaged in the other ofsaid recesses in said second annular members to retain said plate inposition during the unloading of said boat from said trailer.

2. A boat launching device of the type described comprising, incombination, an open support, said support having spaced diverging legs,a plurality of cross braces extending between said legs, said supporthaving a generally horizontal portion joining said legs and extendingthe length of the support, a recess formed in said horizontal portion,an axle rotatably and removably mounted in said recess and projectingfrom both ends of said support, each end of said support having a coverplate rigidly secured thereto through which said axle projects, each ofsaid cover plates having a mounting plate secured thereto, each of saidmounting plates having a first annular metallic member mounted thereonand receiving said axle, said annular member having a projection on theoutside surface thereof, each of the projecting portions of said axlehaving a second annular metallic member mounted therearound, each ofsaid second annular members having spaced recesses on the inside surfacethereof and dimensioned to receive said projection on said first annularmetallic member, each of the projecting portions of said axle having aclosed longitudinally extending slot therethrough, each of said secondannular members and said slots on each end of said axle having a pintherethrough mounting said second annular member on said axle forrotation therewith and longitudinal movement therealong, each end ofsaid axle having a helical metallic spring coaxially mounted thereon,each end of said axle having a lock nut mounted thereon and compressingsaid helical springs to continually urge said second annular memberagainst said first annular member, a plate rigidly secured to said axlebetween said cover plates, said plate having a concave portion on eitherside of said axle and a convex portion across the middle thereof, saiddevice being constructed and adapted so that a trailer having a boatmounted thereon can be backed across said plate from one concave portionthereof to the other concave portion thereof and be lowered into thewater so that as the wheels of the trailer cross the second concaveportion the first concave portion will be raised and said plate willengage the wheels of the pulling vehicle to prevent said vehicle fromrolling into the water, and said projection on said first annular memberwill be disengaged from one said recesses in said second annular memberand engaged in the other of said recesses in said second annular memberto retain said plate in position.

3. A boat launching device of the type described comprising, incombination, a support, said support having a generally horizontalportion, a recess in said horizontal portion, an axle rotatably andremovably mounted in said recess and projecting from both ends of saidsupport, each end of said support having a cover plate rigidly securedthereto through which the axle projects, each of the projecting endportions of said axle having a first annular metallic member mountedtherearound and being rigid with said cover plate, said annular membershaving a projection on the outside surface thereof, each of theprojecting end portions of said axle having a second annular metallicmember therearound, each of said second annular members having aplurality of spaced recesses on the inside surface thereof, said annularmembers being mounted on said axle so that said projections on saidfirst annular members is receivable within said recesses of said secondannular members, each end of the projecting end portions of said axlehaving a closed longitudinal slot therethrough, each of said secondannular members and said slot at each end of said axle having a pinextending therethrough to mount said second annular member on said axlefor rotation therewith and longitudinal movement therealong, each end ofsaid axle having a lock nut threadedly mounted thereon, resilient meansmounted between said lock nuts and said second annular member tocontinually urge said annular member into engagement with said firstannular member, and a plate secured to said axle between said coverplates, said device being constructed and adapted so that a trailerhaving a boat thereon can be backed across said plate and into the waterso that as the Wheels of said trailer cross said plate from one side tothe other (D said plate will be raised to engage the wheels of thepulling vehicle to prevent said vehicle from rolling into said water,and said projections on said first annular member will be disengagedfrom one of said recesses in said second annular member and engaged inanother of said recesses in said second annular member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS EARL J. WITMER,Primary Examiner.

20 JACOB I. NACKENOFF, JACOB SHAPIRO,

Examiners.

3. A BOAT LAUNCHING DEVICE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING, INCOMBINATION, A SUPPORT, SAID SUPPORT HAVING A GENERALLY HORIZONTALPORTION, A RECESS IN SAID HORIZONTAL PORTION, AN AXLES ROTATABLY ANDREMOVABLY MOUNTED IN SAID RECESS AND PROJECTING FROM BOTH ENDS OF SAIDSUPPORT, EACH END OF SAID SUPPORT HAVING A COVER PLATE RIGIDLY SECUREDTHEREOF THROUGH WHICH THE AXLE PROJECTS, EACH OF THE PROJECTING ENDPORTIONS OF SAID AXLE HAVING A FIRST ANNULAR METALLIC MEMBER MOUNTEDTHEREAROUND AND BEING RIGID WITH SAID COVER PLATE, SAID ANNULAR MEMBERSHAVING A PROJECTION ON THE OUTSIDE SURFACE THEREOF, EACH OF THEPROJECTING END PORTIONS OF SAID AXLE HAVING A SECOND ANNULAR METALLICMEMBER THEREAROUND, EACH OF SAID SECOND ANNULAR MEMBERS HAVING APLURALITY OF SPACED RECESSES ON THE INSIDE SURFACE THEREOF, SAID ANNULARMEMBERS BEING MOUNTED ON SAID AXLE SO THAT SAID PROJECTIONS ON SAIDFIRST PORTIONS MEMBERS IS RECEIVABLE WITHIN SAID RECESSES OF SAID SECONDANNULAR MEMBERS, EACH END OF THE PROJECTING END PORTIONS OF SAID AXLEHAVING A CLOSED LONGITUDINAL SLOT THERETHROUGH, EACH OF SAID SECONDANNULAR MEMBERS AND SAID SLOT AT